A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop bladder cancer with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing bladder cancer. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.

Risk factors for bladder cancer include the following:

A large number of cases of bladder cancer are associated with smoking tobacco. The risk of developing bladder cancer increases depending on how many years you have smoked, how many cigarettes you smoked per day, and whether you inhale the smoke.

Exposure to certain chemicals greatly increases a person’s risk of bladder cancer. Workers who are most likely to be exposed to such cancer-causing agents include the following:

Painters

Workers in the dye, leather, paper, rubber, and metal industries

Barbers and beauticians

Plumbers

People working with dry-cleaning chemicals

Tar and asphalt workers

Truck drivers

Treatment with the drug cyclophosphamide can also increase your risk of bladder cancer.
This drug is used in
chemotherapy
and to treat certain autoimmune disorders, such as
lupus.

Pioglitazone also increases the risk of bladder cancer. This medication is used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Conditions that allow your bladder to be chronically irritated over a long period of time can increase your chance of developing bladder cancer. Irritating conditions include the following:

The presence of a bladder catheter—A bladder catheter is a tube used to drain the bladder when the bladder is not able to do so normally; these are often required by people who have certain types of paralysis.

Bladder stones—These are occur from abnormal build up of substances that create a stone-like formation in the bladder.

Bladder infections left untreated over a long period of time

Infection with certain parasites that live in the bladder, particularly
Schistosomiasis. This parasite is not found in the United States, but is common in tropical regions of the world.

You may have a slightly increased risk of developing bladder cancer if you’ve had:

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.